IV by Led Zeppelin, 1971
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Overall, Led Zeppelin's 1971 album IV is pretty much exactly what I expected, and as a lover of rock, it's pretty cool to listen to what many describe as the "peak of 70s rock" and the album that solidified/justified Zeppelin's place in the history books. Also, damn, John Bonham can drum.
That said, I unfortunately didn't find much I could write about technically or analytically for this album, which is one of my favorite parts about writing these reviews. Trying to dive into details on these tracks in the same way that I tackled Pet Sounds, for example, is really as apples-to-oranges as one can get, I feel. I guess that's the point of IV, maybe, but it certainly makes it a little less exciting.
My top 3 songs:
1. When the Levee Breaks
In my opinion, When the Levee Breaks is one of the greatest songs ever recorded in music history. It's a hypnotic, addictive, gripping piece that grabs you, pulls you in, and doesn't let go for 7 minutes. And it's amazing.
The droning guitar, the distortion and effects, John Bonham's legendary drumbeat (and fast foot), John Paul Jones' subtle but sublime basslines, the harmonica—it's perfect.
This song is a paragon of my "Epic Power Rock Anthems" playlist, which also includes such classics as Come Sail Away, Baba O'Riley, Bat Out of Hell, and many others.
2. Black Dog
The album opener is a well-known song that I didn't know I'd already heard once or twice; it's not exactly groovy in the traditional sense, but it's a great listen.
I also think this track is some of the best supporting evidence of why John Bonham is one of the greatest drummers who ever lived. Also, Robert Plant's voice is LEGENDARY.
3. Rock and Roll
This is, to me, the very definition of what hard rock is - and I can imagine almost every rock band after 1971 listening to this song and using it as inspiration for their own compositions. It's straightforward and great to listen to, and there isn't much else I can say about it, honestly.
